Headley expected to miss time with jammed thumb

Breaking his left thumb on this play in spring training, Chase Headley is taking grounders at third base to keep his footwork sharp on this sason-opening road trip while waiting to come off the disabled list in two weeks.(AP Photo/Chris Carlson)
— AP

Breaking his left thumb on this play in spring training, Chase Headley is taking grounders at third base to keep his footwork sharp on this sason-opening road trip while waiting to come off the disabled list in two weeks.(AP Photo/Chris Carlson)
/ AP

TEMPE, Ariz.  The Padres left Tempe Diablo Stadium on Sunday, one stubbed appendage and more than a few worried faces in tow.

After just an inning, All-Star third baseman Chase Headley exited the Padres’ game against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim with a jammed left thumb. The Padres were awaiting X-ray results late Sunday afternoon.

Padres manager Bud Black said Headley is not expected to play in Monday’s game in Peoria against the Chicago Cubs.

“I think we’re probably gonna have some studies — some X-rays and maybe some other scans — done,” Black said. “It’s safe to say that he won’t be in there (Monday).”

In the top of the first, Headley jammed his thumb sliding into second as he attempted to break up a double play.

“He sorta got stuck and got twisted around,” Black said. “His thumb ended up hitting the bag and his thumb was in a bad spot.”

Asked about his level of concern regarding Headley’s injury, Black said, “I’m always concerned about our players, even when they’re healthy. But this is our important player for us, and we’re hoping for the best.”

Headley left Sunday’s game after singling in his only at-bat. He is hitting .448 with no home runs and three RBIs in 29 at-bats this spring.

Jeudy Valdez replaced Headley in the lineup and went 0-for-4.

In 2011 Headley missed 41 games near the end of the season with a fractured left little finger.

If Headley were to miss a significant amount of time, Logan Forsythe is the leading candidate to fill in at third base. Problem is, Forsythe has been sidelined since March 8 with plantar fasciitis, though he has resumed on-field activities in camp.

Jedd Gyorko is another option. With Headley’s Gold Glove-winning skills at third, Gyorko, who had been considered one of the game’s top third base prospects, was expected to make the Opening Day roster as a second baseman.

Garcia struggles

Freddy Garcia’s bid for a spot in the rotation suffered a few blows Sunday.

After enjoying his best outing of the spring in his previous start, the veteran right-hander struggled against the Angels, allowing six earned runs in a spring-high five innings. He gave up six hits, including a two-run homer by Vernon Wells.

“I think he got into trouble when he got some balls up in the strike zone,” Black said after the Padres’ 7-4 loss. “The ball up to Wells was an off-speed pitch up.”

Garcia has struggled with his fastball location this spring, although Black said he saw “good secondary pitches” from the 36-year-old, who could contend for a long reliever position if he doesn’t make the Opening Day roster as a starter.

“I know it didn’t look good, but at least I threw every pitch I wanted to throw,” said Garcia, who had been perfect through the game’s first two innings. “I don’t know when they are gonna make the decision, but I’m doing my work and we’ll see what happens.”

Garcia’s ERA had dropped more than four points in last week’s four-inning, one-run performance against San Francisco. Sunday, it climbed from 9.28 to 9.77.

With 12 more games left this spring, Garcia will likely get two more starts to make a case for the rotation.

--Left fielder Carlos Quentin (sore knee) saw his first action in more than a week Sunday. Playing in a minor league game, he finished with a single and was hit by two pitches in six plate appearances.

--Right-handed pitcher Sean O’Sullivan started the Padres’ other split-squad game Sunday. The Valhalla High grad went three innings, allowing two runs (one earned) on three hits and two walks. He struck out three in the loss to Arizona.

--Right-hander Edinson Volquez will start for the Dominican Republic in Monday night’s World Baseball Classic semifinal against the Netherlands.